Use of Bone Morphogenic Protein-7 as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis

Neil Badlani MD, Yasushi Oshima MD, PhD, Rob Healey BS, Richard Coutts MD, David Amiel PhD
Symposium: Tribute to Dr. Marshall Urist: Musculoskeletal Growth Factors - Research
Volume 467, Issue 12 / December , 2008

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Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder resulting from breakdown of articular cartilage. Previous work has shown bone morphogenic protein-7 has a potential protective effect on cartilage during the development of osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether bone morphogenic protein-7 could decrease the amount of cartilage degradation in preexisting osteoarthritis. The rabbit ACLT model was used as a model of osteoarthritis. Bone morphogenic protein-7 was delivered via Alzet osmotic pump to the joint 4 weeks after anterior cruciate ligament transection; thus cartilage injury was preexisting. The experimental group showed less cartilage degradation than the controls, with an average Outerbridge score of 1.9 versus 2.6 for the controls. Histomorphometry showed a trend toward less cartilage degradation in the bone morphogenic protein-7 group when compared with controls. Semiquantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed a considerably greater expression of aggrecan in the bone morphogenic protein-7-treated cartilage when compared with controls and less expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and matrix metalloproteinase-13, important catabolic mediators. The synovial tissue of the experimental group also showed considerably less expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3, matrix metalloproteinase-13, and aggrecanase. These results indicate bone morphogenic protein-7 may reduce degradation of articular cartilage in osteoarthritis.

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